State task force recommends mental health changes

MADISON (WKOW) -- A special committee is recommending Wisconsin make a number of changes to its mental health laws.

The legislative task force voted Wednesday that mental health professionals should have the authority to send people to emergency detentions, not just police officers.

The panel also voted to recommend creating a way for families and other interested parties to request counties start an emergency detention, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Those emergency detention powers would be allowed in Milwaukee County but could expand throughout the state after two years.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos put the task force together and agreed to a series of recommendations in concept. He'll finalize the report in coming weeks. The Assembly could take up the changes later this year.